The Goosed Gander

Sheesh, life can be complicated. There is just so much damn interference, prying eyes, you'd think we live in a totalitarian world, instead of a parliamentary democracy. People just can't seem to get ahead for all the scrutiny they're beset with. Just because some people think they're conscientious and law-abiding and satisfied with themselves, that's no real reason to think that others aren't, too.

It's just that sometimes other people see things differently.

What's wrong with moonlighting? If you've got the energy, the intelligence and the experience, and plenty of people eager to back you up, what's wrong with it? Take the Senate, for example, who exactly is seated there? No one that was ever elected (with two ridiculous exceptions), but people elevated to the Chamber through a profile including political connections.

It's a nice sinecure. Respect, and comfort and an assured income followed by a gold-plated retirement. Those sitting in the Upper Chamber are the elderly wise. They are the 'sober second thought' element of Parliament's decision-making process. They represent those skilled in intelligent compromise in a values-driven society.

And there are no rules to prohibit senators from what can only be construed as lobbying.

Putting in a good word for a company on whose board they sit. Or for a charitable enterprise. They've been known to ask favours of civil servants in a reasonable exchange of courteous opinion-sharing. When a senator steps down from his/her elevated place to politely ask a favour, who does not comply?

Now isn't it peculiar that senators earn a lovely stipend for their efforts on behalf of the country they serve, can anticipate a comfortable retirement, can simultaneously sit on boards of companies and also represent those companies and earn further remuneration in the process.

And isn't it also odd that there are no laws or regulations in Parliament that constrain Members of Parliament from doing that same thing?

Mightn't one assume that a Member of Parliament is far too busy with government business, attending committees, hearings, pursuing the interests of their constituents, travelling, that kind of thing, to be engaged in additional work? Here's an open secret: some do. But they don't like to talk about it, and if it's not discussed it doesn't happen.

Oh, it might happen, that kind of ethically questionable stuff - to the Conservatives, and the Liberals are always happy to jump on any rumours that erupt from time to time. And it's a dreadful disappointment when government comes away with clean hands. Given the Liberal precedents of past years when hands got uncommonly grimy, for example.

So what's this? Liberal MP Derek Lee is put on the spot, denying ever lobbying the federal government on behalf of clients? Clients? Since when have constituents one meets at riding offices considered to be clients? Oh, not them, not the people who voted him into office. You mean clients. As a legal counsel for Sun and Partners law firm.

Oh.

"Mr. Lee's valuable contributions to our clients include acting for foreign and offshore organizations in obtaining operating licenses, securing regulatory and governmental approvals for mergers and acquisitions ... advising government bodies on international issues regarding cross-border tax collection, anti-dumping issues, and lobbying government on policy issues as well as facilitating inter-governmental relationships."

Oh dear.

One hears that Michael Ignatieff has been grimly, felicitously, silent of late. Never fear, that furiously contrite condition will not last.